In the tradition of Alan Furst, the #1 international bestselling author delivers his first stand-alone novel, a psychological thriller set in World War II Nazi Germany and 1970s England
British pilots James Teasdale and Bryan Young have been chosen to conduct a special photo-reconnaissance mission near Dresden, Germany. Intelligence believes the Nazis are building new factories that could turn the tide of the war. When their plane is shot down, James and Bryan know they will be executed if captured. With an enemy patrol in pursuit, they manage to jump aboard a train reserved for senior SS soldiers wounded on the eastern front.
In a moment of desperation, they throw two patients off the train and take their places, hoping they can escape later. But their act is too convincing and they end up in the Alphabet House, a mental hospital located far behind enemy lines, where German doctors subject their patients to daily rounds of shock treatments and experimental drugs. The pilots’ only hope of survival is to fake insanity until the war ends, but their friendship and courage are put to the ultimate test when James and Bryan realize they aren’t the only ones in the Alphabet House feigning madness.
Millions of fans around the world—and in this country—know Adler-Olsen for his award-winning Department Q series. His first stand-alone, The Alphabet House, is the perfect introduction for those who have yet to discover his riveting work.
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“Malcolm is in that rarified group of British storytellers who seem to disappear—as if nothing stood between the listener and the story. His characterizations are subtle, and even the villains have a sinister charm. Adler-Olsen’s superb audiobook (and the wonderful research that it’s built upon) will keep listeners’ headphones on all the way through the epic climax. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
“This is a suspense-thriller to beat them all. Not only does it offer action, but readers will start waiting for the rabbit to jump out of the hat and change everything.”
— Suspense Magazine“The daring plot, sustained suspense, and caustic view of society all hint at the author’s later work, [in] this meticulously researched historical journey.”
— Publishers Weekly“Adler-Olsen meticulously constructs the Alphabet House…and the stomach-turning evils of Nazi culture to create a pitch-perfect thriller atmosphere.”
— Booklist“Crime writer Adler-Olsen’s 1997 debut was inspired by the experience of the author’s father as a senior consultant in psychiatry at numerous mental hospitals in Denmark.”
— Library Journal“Tense and claustrophobic…Handling the conflict between loyalty and survival with nuance and depth, Adler-Olsen…has a solid grip on settings…A study of loyalty confronting madness and evil.”
— Kirkus ReviewsBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Jussi Adler-Olsen is Denmark’s #1 crime writer. His books routinely top the bestseller lists in Europe and have sold more than sixteen million copies around the world. His many prestigious Nordic crime-writing awards include the Glass Key Award, also won by Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbø, Stieg Larsson, and Peter Høeg.
Graeme Malcolm was an actor and winning audiobook narrator who earned twelve AudioFile Earphones Awards. He has performed on Broadway as Pharaoh in Aida and as Sir Edward Ramsay in The King and I. His television appearances include Law & Order, Follow the River, and Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (with Laurence Olivier). His film credits include A Further Gesture, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, and Reunion.